Rev. Jimmy Rutherford

Rev. Jimmy A. Rutherford of Rockford passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in his home.  Born August 26, 1935, in Gatesville, Texas, the son of Herschel T. “Dick” and Tempe (Wise) Rutherford.  Married Josie B. Grant on March 5, 1957, in Henderson, Texas.  Formerly employed by Beloit Memorial Hospital and Senior advisor of Firstborn Ministries.  At the age of seventeen he gave his heart to The Lord and continued his service to The Lord by becoming an ordained licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church International.  He and his wife pastored congregations in Friedberg, Germany; Clinton, Oklahoma; and Spooner, Wisconsin.  He presided as Principal over Calvary Christian Academy in Madison, Wisconsin, and Firstborn Ministries Academy in Loves Park, Illinois.  His passion was teaching the Bible, and he would teach any subject requested.  His major study focus was “Daniel’s 70 weeks”, “Death, Burial and Resurrection”, “One Godhead” and “Living Kingdom Minded” He loved ministry, had a heart for God and always directed counsel by saying “Have you prayed about it? What does the Holy Ghost tell you to do?”

Jimmy served in the United States Armed Forces in both the Air Force and Army with a total of 16 years 4 months and 29 days of continuous active duty.  He attended 37 weeks of Army Language School in Monterey, California, graduated Airman Second Class AF.  In the Army, as Lieutenant he was an instructor in Fort Belvoir, Virginia for the Army Class of 1967.  Jimmy did two tours in Vietnam and was stationed overseas in Germany where he was a commanding officer of the Field Artillery Firing Battery.  He achieved the rank of Major prior to his Discharge.

Jimmy was well educated, achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cameron College in Lawton Oklahoma and a Master of Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford Oklahoma.  He also attended Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Sill Oklahoma through the U.S. Army.

Survivors include daughters, Deborah (Ted) Schaefer of Madison, WI, Donna (John) Johns of Perry, FL, Bilinda (Orlando) Serra of Rockford, IL, and Rebecca (Kevin) Tyree of Spooner, WI; grandchildren, Kris Johns, Rachel (Gene) Mohundro, Russell (Rachel) Sims, Theodore (Amy) Schaefer, Brian (Selena) Foeckler, Leonard (Natasia) Schaefer, and Jared Amendt; step-grandsons, Carlos (Alexandra) Serra, and Kyle (Sydnee) Tyree; great-grandchildren, Amber “Marie” Turner, Kimberly Johns, Katie Johns, Chazz Davis, Madilyn Sims, Charles Schaefer, Penelope Sims, and Waylon Schaefer; step-great-grandson, Antonio Serra; sister, Betty Sue Rutherford of Chicago, IL.  Predeceased by his wife, Josie B. Rutherford; parents, Herschel T. and Tempe Rutherford; and brother, Billie H. Rutherford.

Please join the family for a graveside funeral service with military honors at 11 a.m., Friday, June 11, 2021, at Willwood Burial Park, 7000 West State Street, Rockford, IL 61102.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jimmy Rutherford may be made to:  Firstborn Ministries Purpose Institute, 8213 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park.